Colby Donovan reveals Celtic ‘legend’ dream after impressive first-team breakthrough

The 19-year-old has made 33 first-team appearances since making his debut against Livingston last year and has taken on an increasingly prominent role in Martin O’Neill’s side.

With Alistair Johnston currently sidelined through injury, Donovan has started Celtic’s last four matches and impressed at right-back.

“I’m living the dream,” Donovan said via TCW. “Me and my dad talk about this all the time, about me still being a Celtic player.

“It’s hard to think that I’m actually putting on this stuff every week and going out playing at Celtic Park. But, it’s just putting that aside and you’ve got a job to do at the end of the day.”

Donovan is following a well-trodden path from Celtic’s academy into the first team, with Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney and James Forrest among those to have made the same journey.

The defender grew up watching the trio and now considers them not only teammates but close friends.

“You see players like Cal, KT, and James – you watched them when you were a kid and then for you to be, not even teammates with them, but good mates with them, it’s class,” he added. “I want to be a legend at this club. So there’s no better people to look up to.”

Ralston has also played a significant part in helping Donovan establish himself at senior level.

The pair are competing for the same position during Johnston’s absence, but Donovan insists that rivalry has only strengthened their relationship.

“Tony’s been class,” Donovan said. “Look, I wouldn’t say I’m ahead of him, we just go head to head all the time, so for Tony to be that type of competition, there’s no better player. He’s played at Celtic for 10 years, something that I’ve dreamt of, so there’s no better person to look up to, to be honest.

“Tony’s brilliant with me. You would think that sometimes players, they don’t see eye to eye when somebody’s in front of them in their position, or they’re trying to get their position, but me and Tony, we just vibe off each other and we try and go head to head. It’s good to have him there as well.”

Celtic could yet add another right-back before the transfer deadline if the right short-term opportunity emerges, with Johnston expected to remain sidelined until later in the autumn.

However, amid a frantic conclusion to the window and Celtic also working on additions elsewhere in the squad, Donovan insists the players’ attention remains firmly on tonight’s Premiership meeting with Aberdeen at Celtic Park.

“You kind of just need to block it out,” Donovan said. “We’ve got a game and we know that it’s going to be a tough game, so I kind of just want to think about the game. Other things will take care of themselves.”